Jai Hanuman produced a superb all-round performance to score a thumping seven-wicket win over Central Excise and emerge HCA’s A Division T20 champions at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad, on Monday night.
Playing under floodlights, Jai Hanuman were all over their rivals in what turned out to be a lop-sided final. Central Excise, who have had a terrific run in the tournament till the final, seemed to be overawed by the occasion and fell into a dark hole. Once the descended into it, there was no light at the end of their tunnel as Jai Hanuman shut out all escape routes.
Abhirath slams unbeaten century to steer Jai Hanuman into final of HCA A Division T20
Batting first, Central Excise began on a poor note as their consistent bat PS Chaitanya Reddy (7) fell to Shanmukha Ashwin with 23 on the board. Fellow opener Jashwanth Mote (24) and Nimna Nimmagadda Surya Teja tried to steady the innings but Akhil Kumar Sankoju destroyed Central Excise hopes with a double strike in the fourth over of the innings to reduce Excise to 41 for three.
Akhil Kumar had Jashwanth caught by Abhirath Reddy off the third ball and three balls later had Y Chaitanya Krishna (0) caught by Sai Purnanand Rao.
Central Excise plunged into further despair as they lost Sai Varun Yerram (3), caught by Ananth Prateek Reddy off Shaunak Kulkarni, and C Abhinav Tej (6), caught by Sai Purnanand Rao off Shanmukha Ashwin.
Surya Teja and Anirudh Srivatsa then added 36 off 31 balls for the sixth wicket. Incidentally this was the highest partnership of the innings.
Once Ranganath BK got rid of Anirudh (17), Central Excise had no way to get back into the game. They were bundled out for 150 in 19.4 overs with Surya Teja becoming the ninth wicket to fall.
No.3 bat Surya Teja waged a lone battle with a gritty 69 off 48 balls and struck two fours and four sixes but lack of support from the other end meant that Central Excise were shot out for a below par score.
Akhil Kumar Sankoju took three for 37, while Shanmukha Ashwin (2/31) and Ranganath BK (2/33) were also among the wickets.
In reply, Jai Hanuman batters were in no mood to look at the gift horse in its mouth. Openers Sai Purnanand Rao and Abhirath Reddy put the Central Excise attack to the sword. The duo added 60 in 6.2 overs to lay the platform for a comfortable win. Abhirath was trapped leg before by Sai Varun Yerram after making a 23-ball 42 with two fours and five sixes.
Central Excise’s hopes of making further inroads were stalled by Sai Purnanand Rao and Rohit Rayudu K. The duo added 71 off 48 balls to virtually settle the issue. Sai Purnanand fell to Anirudh Srivatsa after making 57 off 41 balls with four fours and three sixes and P Arvind (3) departed soon.
However, Rohit struck four fours and a six in his unbeaten 41 off 32 balls to take Jai Hanuman to 151 for three in 17.5 overs.
Brief scores: Central Excise 150 in 19.4 overs (N Surya Teja 69; S Akhil Kumar 3/37) lost to Jai Hanuman 151/3 in 17.5 overs (Sai Purnanand Rao 57, M Abhirath Reddy 42, K Rohit Rayudu 41no).
